Welcome! to Parenting Paths.
I’m Aki, and I’m so glad you’re here. This photo of me and my “baby” was taken over twenty years ago — somehow that still feels impossible to say out loud. When she was born, I already had years of experience working with children. I thought I was prepared. But even with all the knowledge, love, and best intentions in the world, I found myself falling into some of the same patterns I grew up with — patterns I never wanted to pass on. So I decided to do something about it, and Parenting Paths was born.
Parenting stretched me in ways I never could have imagined. Running on little sleep, feeling overstimulated, adjusting to a new dynamic with my partner, redefining my identity as a mother, and trying to navigate the constant flood of advice sometimes brought out reactions that didn’t feel like me at all.
It was a humbling experience, but it also sparked a journey of learning and growth that changed my life. I sought out resources, education, and tools that helped me become the parent I wanted to be. Along the way, I realized I wasn’t alone in my struggles. Parenting is hard, but with the right support and strategies, it can also become deeply rewarding and deeply connected.
I’ve now been a parent coach for fifteen years, teaching Child Development at the college level since 2019, and leading playgroups and workshops for caregivers and educators for over a decade. I’m here to offer the thoughtful, knowledgeable, and compassionate support I wish I’d had in the early days of parenting. Whether you’re navigating big feelings, tantrums, difficult transitions, or the everyday challenges of raising young children, I’m here to walk alongside you with understanding, practical tools, and encouragement that actually fits real life.
Parenting isn’t easy, but it can be incredibly meaningful and rewarding. My practice is called Parenting Paths because I believe every family deserves support in finding the path that fits their children, their values, their culture, and their lives. There is no one “right” way to parent — only the way that feels aligned, connected, and sustainable for your unique family.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’ve got you.
It Turns out that they Really Do Grow Up!
People love to say, “Enjoy it while it lasts!” — which can feel almost impossible to hear when you’re deep in diapers, tantrums, endless nights, sibling fights, or trying to hold it all together on very little sleep. And yet somehow, before you know it, those years are gone. One day you catch yourself becoming the person reminding other parents to soak in the little hugs, sticky hands, and grubby kisses while they can.
I won’t tell you to simply “enjoy every moment,” because parenting can be beautiful and incredibly hard at the same time. What I will do is help you slow down enough to parent with more intention, confidence, and connection. Together, we’ll look beyond simply stopping behaviors and begin to understand what your child is communicating underneath them — because behavior always has a reason.
I work with families from many different cultural backgrounds and family configurations, and I believe there is no one “right” way to parent. My role is to help you find approaches that feel aligned with your values, your child, and your family dynamic.
Whether I’m supporting families in their homes during the early stages of parenting or working with parents over time through coaching, my goal is always the same: to help you feel supported, understood, and less alone in the process. I intentionally work with a limited number of clients so I can be truly available to the families I support, offering guidance and encouragement not just during sessions, but in the real-life moments in between.
More than anything, I’m here to help you raise a child who feels deeply loved, understood, and connected to you — a child who grows into someone who wants a relationship with you long after they’re old enough to have other choices. And just as importantly, I want to help you raise a human who moves through the world with empathy, resilience, confidence, and kindness.
How Parenting Coaching Works
Parenting isn’t one-size-fits-all, and our work together will be thoughtfully tailored to your unique family, values, and needs. Every child, parent, and family dynamic is different, so together we’ll build the skills, tools, and confidence that help you navigate challenges with more ease, connection, and clarity.
All of my work is designed to provide support over time (typically 306 months), because meaningful change doesn’t happen in a single conversation. During our first session, we’ll identify your biggest challenges, and you’ll leave with a clear, written action plan so you can start making shifts right away. We’ll also explore the bigger picture — the kind of family culture you want to create, the values you want to lead with, and the relationships you hope to build with your children. If you have a partner, this can be a powerful opportunity to get aligned and approach parenting as a team.
I intentionally work with a limited number of clients so I can be genuinely available and present for the families I support. Between sessions, I encourage you to reach out by text so you don’t have to sit alone in the hard moments or wait until our next meeting for guidance and reassurance.
Coaching with me is collaborative, compassionate, and completely judgment-free. You’ll receive practical, brain-based strategies along with loving support that meets you where you are. Together, we’ll create lasting changes that help your family feel more connected, calm, and grounded — not just for today, but for years to come.
Wondering if coaching is right for you? Book a free call to connect with Aki.